Dental Cleaning Substance Medium, Packaging, and Device

ABSTRACT

A single-use portion of dental cleaning substance provided in a tidy, convenient, and hygienic manner. The single-use portion of dental cleaning substance may be provided in a solid form and may be utilized via a traditional toothbrush (electronic or standard) or by use of a specific device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. sctn. 119(e) from provisional application No. 60/822,095, filed Aug. 11, 2006, and provisional application No. 60/911,585, filed Apr. 13, 2007 both of which are incorporated by reference herein, in their entireties, for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed generally towards the formulation and packaging of a dental cleaning substance, such as toothpaste.

BACKGROUND

The use of toothpaste is ubiquitous, as are the problems associated with its use. A clean and tidy way to package toothpaste for convenient use is a long-standing problem. Toothpaste tubes and pumps can leak or clog and their size can be inconvenient for travel. While small, “travel-sized” tubes are more convenient, they still may clog or leak. Regardless of its size, if a toothpaste container leaks during travel, such as while in a suitcase or purse, it may create quite a mess. Other types of packaging for toothpaste, such as toothbrushes which store the toothpaste themselves, do not resolve these issues.

There are other problems with current toothpaste containers as well. Consumers lack a mechanism for portioning toothpaste appropriately. Too much toothpaste on a toothbrush often leads to waste and mess, as excess toothpaste falls off the brush. Further problems arise when multiple people share the same container of toothpaste, as this may lead to hygiene issues.

In addition to consumer problems, toothpaste manufacturers lack an accurate mechanism for determining how many brushings a container will provide for an individual consumer. For example, a manufacturer cannot predict how much toothpaste a consumer will use per brushing, how many people will share the same tube, or how regularly those using the toothpaste will brush their teeth. Therefore, the manufacturer may have difficulty determining the rate of consumption for its product and, thus, estimates of sales and usage can be near impossible to determine.

While other products have been manufactured in single-use packaging, single-use containers of toothpaste have been unavailable due to the difficulty of designing an appropriate package or form. Although manufacturers may employ small containers as a way to provide samples of their product, such “sample packs” or “trial-sized” containers are designed for promotional campaigns, not regular use. Such packaging is focused on providing consumers with a sample of the product in the hopes that they will purchase full-sized containers. The packaging itself it not seen by the manufacturer or the consumer as standard container, and as such, there is little to no emphasis on providing a container refined for standard, recurrent use. Furthermore, sample packaging does not resolve tidiness issues, as such containers of toothpaste are often messier than traditional ones. For example, a sample pack of toothpaste may be a plastic envelope that a consumer must tear to open, with no possibility for the consumer to seal it again. Furthermore, because such containers often lack a solid spout, when squeezed, toothpaste may ooze out messily from them.

What is needed is a form of toothpaste distribution that provides individuals with a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance, such as toothpaste, in a tidy, convenient, and hygienic manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the aforementioned needs by providing a dental cleaning substance in a solid form, by providing a package that enables the distribution of a single-use portion of a dental cleaning substance, and by providing a device that may utilize a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance.

An object of the present invention is to solve at least the aforementioned problems and disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single-use unit of dental cleaning substance that is a commercially viable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clean and portable distribution medium for dental cleaning substances.

Another object of this invention is to provide a single-use package of dental cleaning substance in a gel, paste, liquid, powder, or solid form.

Another object of this invention is to provide a package with a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance, whereby sales, dispensing, and tracking usage may be facilitated.

Anther object of this invention is to enable a way of applying a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance to traditional toothbrushes, both standard and electric.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device specifically designed to use a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance.

To achieve at least these objects and other advantages in whole or in part and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a medium for providing a dental cleaning substance, such as toothpaste, in single-use units. Each unit delivers a portion sufficient for one brushing.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a solid dental cleaning substance form composed in its entirety of dental cleaning substance.

FIG. 2 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a solid dental cleaning substance form in which dental cleaning substance is contained by a solid structure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a dental cleaning substance package.

FIG. 4 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of the backing element of a dental cleaning substance package.

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of the composition of the backing element of a dental cleaning substance package.

FIG. 6 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of an example of an array of dental cleaning substance packages.

FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a solid dental cleaning substance form that includes an uneven surface.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed toothpaste packaging.

FIG. 9 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of a device designed for a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance.

FIG. 10 illustrates a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a device designed for a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person with ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the invention. The term “toothpaste” is utilized throughout this disclosure for illustrative proposes only and is not to be construed as limiting. One of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that the term “toothpaste,” as utilized herein, may encompass any dental cleaning substance, such as a tooth-cleaning agent, mouth-cleaning agent, or the like.

The present invention provides a tidy and convenient medium for distributing toothpaste by providing toothpaste in a solid form, herein called a “toothpaste tablet.” A toothpaste tablet may provide enough dental cleaning substance sufficient for a single use and may be created in various forms, such a brick, a strip, a tablet, a capsule, a pill, a ball, a bean, or a film. A toothpaste tablet may be formed in a mold, by cutting a large sheet of dental cleaning substance material into small pieces, by encasing a dental cleaning substance in a solid structure, or by any other method known in the art of making products of a similar form (e.g., candy, gum, vitamins, capsules, etc.). The manner in which a toothpaste tablet is created may be dependent upon the particular form of the toothpaste tablet. As illustrated by FIG. 1, in one embodiment, a toothpaste tablet (100) may be composed in its entirety of a dental cleaning substance. For example, the toothpaste tablet may be solid form created by extracting water from normally formulated toothpaste. The form of a toothpaste tablet may be a small brick or the shape of a piece of chewing gum. In one example, a toothpaste tablet is produced as a small, thin, rectangular shape, approximately 1 cm×5 mm×2 mm in size. Although a toothpaste tablet may be similar in form to chewing gum, unlike current “dental care” gum, a toothpaste tablet may be employed during actual brushing and may contain an actual dental cleaning substance in order to provide the same benefits as traditional toothpaste. As another illustration, a toothpaste tablet may be similar in shape and, optionally, texture to a jelly bean or a gumball. As illustrated by FIG. 2, in one embodiment, a toothpaste tablet (200) may be a solid structure (202) containing a portion of dental cleaning substance. The solid structure (202) may be liquid-soluble. For example, the solid structure (202) may be a dissolvable starch. In the aforementioned examples, the application of a liquid, such as water, mouthwash, or a special release agent, may cause the toothpaste tablet to convert to a form suitable for brushing. For example, a “jelly bean” toothpaste tablet may transform into a paste-like substance or the solid structure of a capsule toothpaste tablet may dissolve, releasing its contents. In another scenario, the toothpaste tablet may be a small, non-dissolvable packet containing a dental cleaning substance. For example, the toothpaste tablet could be a foil or plastic packet designed to release the dental cleaning substance with the application of pressure. These packets may be perforated to assist with the release of their contents. The use of pressure may also be employed to assist with the use of other forms of toothpaste tablets, and, as such, it is not limited to non-dissolvable packets. For example, squeezing a “gumball” toothpaste tablet could assist in its use by converting it into a malleable form.

A toothpaste tablet may be distributed in traditional packaging, such as blister packs, or may be distributed in toothpaste-specific packaging. FIG. 3 depicts a diagram of an embodiment of a toothpaste package (300) for the distribution of toothpaste. The toothpaste package (300) can be easily opened, used, and discarded. To account for environmental concerns, corn-based plastics, recycled paper, and other environmentally friendly packaging materials may be used in its composition. The toothpaste package (300) may have a protective shell (306) surrounding toothpaste (302) and a backing (304). The toothpaste (302) may be a toothpaste tablet or may be another form of a single-use portion of a dental cleaning substance, such as a paste, gel, powder, or liquid. The shell (306) may be separated from the toothpaste (302) by a separating layer (308). The backing (304) may support the toothpaste (302) and the toothpaste (302) may adhere to the backing (304) such that the shape and structure of the toothpaste (302) remains intact while the package (300) is transported. The separating layer (308) between the shell (306) and the toothpaste (302) enables the toothpaste (302) to not touch or stick to the shell (306) and may protect it from deformation.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of the package (300) with pull-tabs to enable easy opening. A pull-tab (402) may facilitate the separation of the backing (304) from the shell (306). For example, when a person wishes to open the package (300), he may grasp the pull-tab (402) and pull it to separate the backing (304) from the shell (306). One or more pull-tabs may be in any convenient location and of any size depending on the exact dimensions and aesthetic design of the package (300). For instance, the pull-tabs (404) and (406) illustrate possible alternative positions. The use of the term “pull-tab” is not to be construed as limiting as the backing (304) may include any leverage mechanism to assist in its removal from the shell (306).

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of an embodiment of the backing (304). The toothpaste (302) may gently adhere to the backing (304), which may comprise a plurality of layers. The backing (304) may include an outer layer (502) and an inner layer (504). The backing (304) may be in any shape large enough to retain the toothpaste (302).

The package (300) may be distributed to consumers in various fashions. One example, as depicted in FIG. 6, is an array (600) of packages, wherein each package (300) is connected to at least one other package (300). Packages (300) may be connected by a common backing (304) perforated with straight-edges, thereby allowing separation of one package (300) from another. Alternatively, multiple packages (300) may be loosely arranged in a container, such as a box. The packages (300) could be created as separate units or could be placed in a container after being separated from an array (600) (e.g., by hand or mechanically). As aforementioned, although a toothpaste tablet may be distributed in a package (300), it need not be. The solid nature of a toothpaste tablet may allow for distribution in traditional packaging, such as that used for medicinal products, such as pills and capsules. For example, toothpaste tablets may be packaged in a blister pack with a foil backing. The solid nature of the toothpaste tablet may allow it to be forced through the backing or remain intact as the backing is removed.

To use a package (300), one may tear the backing (304) away from the shell (306) and apply the toothpaste (302) to a manual or electronic toothbrush. In one scenario, a dispensing device may dispense a package (300) to the individual. The dispensing device may be designed to separate the backing (304) from the shell (306) automatically when dispensing a package (300) in order to expose the toothpaste (302) contained within. The toothpaste (302) may be applied to the toothbrush with a single motion by wiping the backing (304) across the toothbrush such that toothpaste (302) is applied to the toothbrush. Conversely, one could wipe the toothbrush across the backing (304). In an alternate embodiment, the toothpaste (302) may not adhere to the backing (304), but rather to the shell (306). One may remove the toothpaste (302) by scooping the toothpaste (302) from the shell (306) with his toothbrush (similar to using a knife to scoop butter from of a single-serving packet). These procedures could be used regardless of the form of the toothpaste (302). For example, if the toothpaste (302) is a toothpaste tablet, the toothpaste tablet may be gently adhered to the backing (304) by an adhesive, enabling one to place the toothpaste tablet onto the toothbrush by pressing the tablet against the bristles via the backing (304). Alternatively, if the toothpaste tablet is designed to not stick to the backing (304) (or if the backing (304) is designed to not stick to the tablet), one may scoop it out with his toothbrush or place the toothpaste tablet onto the toothbrush with his fingers or by tipping the package (300) onto the toothbrush. In one embodiment, a toothpaste tablet may be designed to fit between the bristles of a toothbrush. For example, a toothpaste tablet in the form of a small, thin, rectangular brick may be placed between the bristles of a toothbrush. Alternatively, a toothpaste tablet may be specifically designed to adhere to the bristles of a toothbrush. FIG. 7 depicts an embodiment of a toothpaste tablet that includes an uneven surface (700). The toothpaste tablet (700) may have a cleat (702) on one more surfaces so that it will not slip off a toothbrush's bristles. If the toothpaste tablet (700) is composed entirely of dental cleaning substance, the cleat (702) may be composed of the same material. If the toothpaste tablet (700) is a solid structure containing dental cleaning substance, the solid structure may be formed to include one or more cleats (702). Alternatively, a cleat (702) may be composed of another, edible and/or dissolvable material and be attached to any type of toothpaste tablet. In one scenario, the cleat (702) may be an uneven edge; possibly naturally formed when toothpaste tablets (700) are produced, such as if they are made by breaking up a larger sheet of the dental cleaning substance. In another scenario, the toothpaste tablet (700) may be created specifically to include a cleat (702) on one or more edges. For example, a toothpaste tablet mold may be designed to produce tablets with a row of tiny cones along one edge. In general, a cleat (702) may be any edge included on the toothpaste tablet to create friction between the tablet and the bristles of a toothbrush. One may place a toothpaste tablet (700) on his toothbrush by shoving its cleat (702) into the bristles of the brush. Additionally, or alternatively, a toothpaste tablet (700) may be covered with an edible adhesive, enabling it to adhere to the brush.

FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of an embodiment of an alternative packaging. In this embodiment, the toothpaste (302) adheres to a top backing (802). The bottom backing (804) may have properties such that it does not adhere to the toothpaste (302). One may use this embodiment of a package (800) by first separating the bottom backing (804) from the shell (806) to expose the toothpaste (302). One may then apply the toothbrush to the toothpaste (302) with force by pressing the toothbrush against the shell (806) such that the toothpaste (302) adheres to the toothbrush. One may then retract the toothbrush from the shell (806) such that the toothpaste (302) and the top backing (602) are removed from the shell (806). One may then remove the top backing (802) with the toothpaste (302) remaining lodged on the toothbrush. Similar to the previously described embodiment of the package (800), the bottom packing (804) may include one or more leverage mechanisms, such as a pull-tab, to assist in its removal from the shell (806).

Although the use of the single-use portions of dental cleaning substances, such as toothpaste tablets and toothpaste packages, has been typically described with respect to a traditional toothbrush (manual or electric), another application device may be designed specifically for a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance (e.g., a paste, a gel, a powder, a liquid, or a solid). FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of such a device. Typically, the device (900) is constructed to resemble the form of a traditional toothbrush. The device (900) has a receptacle (902) into which a toothpaste package may be placed via the package entry (904). The device (900) may include a perforated surface with openings (908) where bristles (910) are connected to the base (912) of the head (914) of the device (900). The device (900) may have a movable surface (906) that can be moved to apply pressure to a toothpaste package within the receptacle (902) in order to release the toothpaste (302) from the toothpaste package. The toothpaste (302) may then be forced through the openings (908) onto the bristles (910). Alternatively, if the toothpaste package contains a toothpaste tablet that is to be utilized with the application of pressure, one may first remove the toothpaste tablet from the toothpaste package and place the tablet itself into the receptacle (902). FIG. 10 depicts an embodiment of a device designed particularly to utilize a toothpaste tablet. As with the prior device, the device (1000) may be constructed to resemble the form of a traditional toothbrush. The device (1000) may include a receptacle (1002) into which a toothpaste tablet may be placed via the tablet entry (1004). Similar to the aforementioned device, the head of device (1000) may include a perforated surface with openings (1012) where bristles (1014) are connected to the base (1016) of the head (1018). The receptacle (1002) may have at least one liquid-access point (1010) on its underside to allow a liquid (e.g., water, mouth-cleansing agent, special release agent, etc.) to flow onto the toothpaste tablet. The receptacle (1002) may also have a cover (1006), which may have openings (1008) through which liquid may flow. Once a toothpaste tablet is placed within the receptacle (1002), one may apply liquid to the toothpaste tablet via the liquid-access point (1010) and/or a cover opening (1008), thereby causing the toothpaste tablet to convert into a form that may flow through the openings (1012) and onto the bristles (1014). The devices depicted in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are not to be construed as limiting and other devices may be designed to utilize toothpaste packages or toothpaste tablets. For example, a device may combine elements of FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, and utilize both the application of physical pressure and liquid to a toothpaste package or a toothpaste tablet.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art by a review of the preceding detailed description. Although a number of salient features of the present invention have been described above, the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways that would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading the disclosed invention. Therefore, the above description should not be considered to be exclusive of these other embodiments. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 

1. A single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance.
 2. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the dental cleaning substance is a solid.
 3. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the dental cleaning substance is contained by a solid structure.
 4. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, whereby application of a catalyst to the single-use dosage form enables usage of the dental cleaning substance.
 5. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the single-use dosage form is in the form of one of a packet, a brick, a strip, a tablet, a capsule, a pill, a ball, a bean, or a film.
 6. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the single-use dosage form fits an application device.
 7. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the single-use dosage form includes an uneven surface, wherein the uneven surface enables the fixing of the single-use dosage form to an application device.
 8. The single-use dosage form of dental cleaning substance of claim 1, wherein the single-use dosage form includes an adhesive surface.
 9. A package for containing a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance, the package comprising a container, wherein the container has capacity for a portion of dental cleaning substance for a single brushing by an individual.
 10. The package of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a shell, wherein the shell protects the portion of dental cleaning substance.
 11. The package of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a separating layer, wherein the separating layer separates the portion of dental cleaning substance from one or more components of the container.
 12. The package of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a first backing, wherein the first backing enables access to the portion of dental cleaning substance.
 13. The package of claim 12, wherein the first backing further comprises a leverage mechanism, whereby the leverage mechanism assists in the enablement of access to the portion of the dental cleaning substance.
 14. The package of claim 12, wherein the first backing adheres to the portion of dental cleaning substance.
 15. The package of claim 9, wherein the container further comprises a second backing.
 16. The package of claim 9, wherein the portion of dental cleaning substance is in one of the following forms: a paste, a gel, a powder, a liquid, or a solid.
 17. A dental cleaning device, the device comprising: a handle; and a head comprising: a receptacle for a single-use portion of dental cleaning substance, wherein the single-use portion of dental cleaning substance is one of a paste, a gel, a powder, a liquid, or a solid, and wherein the receptacle includes a perforated surface; and a group of bristles, wherein the group of bristles is located on an exterior side of the perforated surface, whereby the perforated surface enables the channeling of the portion of single-use portion of dental cleaning substance placed within the receptacle onto the group of bristles.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the receptacle further comprises a liquid access point, whereby liquid applied to the liquid access point assists in the channeling of the portion of dental cleaning substance placed within the receptacle through the perforated surface.
 19. The device of claim 18, further comprising a cover for the liquid access point.
 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the receptacle further comprises a movable surface located opposite the perforated surface, whereby physical pressure applied to the movable surface assists in the channeling of the portion of dental cleaning substance placed within the receptacle through the perforated surface. 